tapioca

noun

tap·​i·​o·​ca ˌta-pē-ˈō-kə 

1

: a usually granular preparation of cassava starch used especially in puddings and as a thickening in liquid food

also : a dish (such as pudding) containing tapioca

2

: cassava

Examples of tapioca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With a tapioca base, these are gluten-free and vegan. —Emily Earlenbaugh, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Seek out gluten-free alternatives to baking products that use ingredients like rice, corn, cassava, tapioca, or millet.14 Make sure all restaurants and servers—as well as family, friends, and coworkers—are aware of your intolerance. —Janelle McSwiggin, Msn, Health, 5 Aug. 2024

Step 4 In a shallow bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, tapioca starch, 2 tablespoons of salt, and 1 tablespoon of Old Bay. —Lynn Derrick and Janelle Weaver, Saveur, 27 Nov. 2024

The Build Muscle formula, for example, includes organic tapioca maltodextrin and gluten-free oat powder. —Suzy Forman, SELF, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese, from Tupi tɨpɨʔóka

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tapioca

noun

tap·​i·​o·​ca ˌtap-ē-ˈō-kə 

: grains or flakes of starch from the cassava root that are used especially in puddings and as a thickening in liquid foods

also : a food (as pudding) that contains tapioca